Veteran Finds New Lease on Life with Help from VA Greater Los Angeles Services

For Veteran Tim Park, life has been filled with many surprising twists and turns, from enlisting in the Marines at 19 to going to law school and then being discovered in Hollywood. During the past few years, Park’s life went in another direction, and he is now participating on a transitional work assignment with the VA Greater Los Angeles Carpentry Department through the Vocational Rehabilitation Service’s Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) Program, as well as hoping to reenlist later this year.

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Park served in Iraq as a US Marine. After he completed his service, he graduated from the University of Washington. He went on to earn his Juris Doctorate at Seattle University of Law in 2011. Shortly after graduating law school, Park moved to Los Angeles, and worked at a law firm for four months. Park soon realized that working in the legal field wasn’t for him and planned to go into the fitness field until he met a talent agent while running at Runyon Canyon Park in Hollywood.

Park began acting in 2013 and went on to star in several television shows, including Sons of Anarchy, music videos, short films, and commercials, including Pepsi, McDonalds, and the NFL. He also worked as a bodyguard and personal trainer for celebrities.

Park says that during that time, he “was completely removed from the VA and thought that the good times would last.” 

However, his life started to take a “turn for the worse” in late 2017/early 2018, when he made bad investments and lost a lot of money. Then, in 2019, Park suffered a bicep tear while bowling. “I could no longer get parts, as my acting roles were predicated on my physique. I was active in martial arts and a marine veteran who served in the Iraq War, and now I felt as though I had nothing, all due to a bowling accident. I became extremely depressed, and just could not push through my injury and the feeling that I had nothing,” explained Park.

Park went to the VA for surgery and was treated by an exceptional surgeon. While recovering, he worked as a bartender for a few years. “During the past few years, I was getting back on my feet, but still didn’t feel as if I had a purpose.”

Then in 2021, Park was the victim of a hit and run, and went into a major depression and was struggling to pay bills. Fortunately, Park sought help from the VA and began seeing a psychologist who introduced him to Vocational Rehabilitation Services. “For years, I had identified as an actor, had a glamorous life, but now I was struggling to find my identity. I was working for the first time through CWT Transitional Work program in supplies and processing and also had a part time job as a bartender. Through CWT, I met a lot of great Veterans and learned about other VA programs and resources,” said Park.

“Also, during this time, my family came to visit and did not like that I was depressed and living alone. They encouraged me get help and be productive. So, I applied and was accepted to live at New Directions in January 2022. At the same time, I was supported by my Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist, Tina (Clementine Neder), who set up an interview with the VA’s Carpentry Department and I am incredibly grateful that I got this transitional work opportunity,” said Park.

“Now I have a sense of purpose and gratitude that I have a roof over my head and meals, that I’m learning new skills, working with a supportive staff, and helping Veterans in the process. I get to see the fruits of my labor all around the VA campus,” Park added

Park also enjoys running three to four days a week around the West LA campus and exercise free of charge at Brentwood School’s workout facilities.

His Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist, Neder, is pleased to see Park’s significant process. “’I am so proud of him and his new responsibilities. It is amazing to see positive changes in him. He is grateful to us, but I told him that we just gave him the directions and the tools he needs to make positive changes. He is responsible for making those changes and becoming successful and happy.”

With a new lease on life, Park has decided to re-enlist in the armed services, this time in the Army. “Every time that I’ve hit rock bottom, the VA has always been there to catch me,” said Park. “I look forward to serving my country again later this year. I have a renewed gratitude for the VA, our federal government, the military, and being an American.

If you are a Veteran or know someone who would like more information about New Directions, call 310-914-4045, or for the VAGLAHS Vocational Rehabilitation Service, call 310-478-3711, extension 43472.